Pool Players and their "WTF" gestures...

PROG8R

PROG8R

Gator Nation
Silver Member
I spend entirely too much time watching and analyzing pool players. The one thing that makes me laugh after a while is how every one of them seems to have their own little WTF gestures when a shot doesn’t come off exactly perfect.
How many of you do it?
Does it bug you to see it?
 
PROG8R said:
I spend entirely too much time watching and analyzing pool players. The one thing that makes me laugh after a while is how every one of them seems to have their own little WTF gestures when a shot doesn’t come off exactly perfect.
How many of you do it? 1,239
Does it bug you to see it? No, I'm not the one playing.
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How many of you do it? 1,239
Does it bug you to see it? No, I'm not the one playing.
 
No, it adds character to the game. Gimme Mike Sigel or Grady making those gestures any day over some stone-face. Efren's are funny when he smiles and airstrokes the shot again.
 
Efren's other popular one is the head scratch as he leaves the table. I was watching an old match of Efren from back in the early 90's and "the scratch" was the same then as it is now.
 
I confess that I do it, and while it's probably not the best thing a player can do for his/her competitive mindset, I don't mind seeing it, as it puts a human element in the game. I frankly prefer that tothe wooden expression that characterizes some of the current brand of players.
 
Guilty!! mostly when I am looking ahead to the next shot and assume the current shot is a gimme.
 
This is something that I have never been able to relate well to(being emotionless).How can you do that if you are truly passionate in what you are doing?
 
VIProfessor said:
I confess that I do it, and while it's probably not the best thing a player can do for his/her competitive mindset, I don't mind seeing it, as it puts a human element in the game. I frankly prefer that tothe wooden expression that characterizes some of the current brand of players.
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"Wooden" expression. That's a jewel right there :D !!! Axejunkie said "stone face". Another good one. No wonder pool has such a problem with getting a high number of spectator attendees :rolleyes: . I had much rather see SOME kind of gestures/animation from the players than to see them sitting in their chairs looking like there's someplace they'd rather be!!!

Maniac
 
Jose Parica makes the best facial expressions when all doesn't go right. He's actually funny to watch.

Dick
 
I KNOW I do it, but I know it's my fault.

The only time it bothers me with someone else, is when they hit the wrong english or the wrong spot on the object ball and swear that they did everything right and something else should have happened instead of what actually happened. I usually reply that when the earth starts spining in the opposite direction tomorrow, that shot'll fall/get shapes. I usually get no reply. :p
 
Mike Sigel's head twitch is my favourite, by far the coolest, and adaptable too. he does it in all situations, not just when a shot didn't come off. it's also one of those that ooze confidence, the man just looks like he's in control.

efren's scrunching up his face, smiling, and scratching his head/ruffling his hair thing he's got going on is endearing too.

This is something that I have never been able to relate well to(being emotionless).How can you do that if you are truly passionate in what you are doing?
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agree with this somewhat - i can understand what they do it, it's a complete focus on winning. where i would disagree is to me the reason we all play the game is for fun and enjoyment. why not smile, express yourself a bit and revel in that enjoyment? just my way of thinking.
 
worriedbeef said:
agree with this somewhat - i can understand what they do it, it's a complete focus on winning. where i would disagree is to me the reason we all play the game is for fun and enjoyment. why not smile, express yourself a bit and revel in that enjoyment? just my way of thinking.
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That's MY way of thinking too, and I hope it's the way that most of the people in the game see it!!!

Maniac
 
Maniac said:
I had much rather see SOME kind of gestures/animation from the players than to see them sitting in their chairs looking like there's someplace they'd rather be!!!

Maniac
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But there is someplace I'd rather be......

Standing at the table!!!!!:D
 
Kim Davenport is at the top of the "Most Animated" category ... The way he pounds the table with his fist or slams his Szamboti on the table ... Classic Davenport is when he misses an easy one during 9-Ball with 4-5 balls left on the table and just "sweeps" the remaining balls off the table to concede the game (he can't stand to watch his opponent run-out in those situations) ... I watched him closely in Reno last month and his disposition at the table was much better than in years past, so maybe he's mellowing out a bit ... That said : He's still a Great Player and I congratulate him for his comeback after the eye injury ...
 
I do it every time I miss, "WTF!!!!" It does not bother me when I see it because I am the one doing it. When a pro does it, like Earl, then that bothers me. But when it's just like a house game, its kinda funny to see someone get so frustrated.
 
worriedbeef said:
Mike Sigel's head twitch is my favourite, by far the coolest, and adaptable too. he does it in all situations, not just when a shot didn't come off. it's also one of those that ooze confidence, the man just looks like he's in control.

efren's scrunching up his face, smiling, and scratching his head/ruffling his hair thing he's got going on is endearing too.



agree with this somewhat - i can understand what they do it, it's a complete focus on winning. where i would disagree is to me the reason we all play the game is for fun and enjoyment. why not smile, express yourself a bit and revel in that enjoyment? just my way of thinking.
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Yeah, well said. The more expression the better - but positive stuff only please. Even anger can be positive.

It's the whiney, making excuses kind of stuff that makes me cringe.
 
Buckeyejim said:
This is something that I have never been able to relate well to(being emotionless).How can you do that if you are truly passionate in what you are doing?
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I doubt that there is any such thing as an emotionless pool player, just pool players disciplined enough not to give away their emotions.

Nick Varner is someone who comes to mind. Occasionally he will make a face or something of that sort if he gets a really bad roll or misses a shot he thinks he should have made, but I know that he thinks that showing negative emotions in reaction to these things is a sign of weakness. And I don't think there is anyone more passionate about the game than Nick.
 
When I miss one REAL bad (which is not all that unusual), I'll say

"I was cleaning my cue and it went off!"
 
I used to be real animated when playing til I realized it was hurting me and helping my opponents. I wasn't all whiny or anything, just way too negative. So I read books, watched my favorite players and adopted a more "Efren like" approach to playing. Now, even when I get horrible rolls I just start looking for my best option and next move. I never realized how much it affects the other guy being more even tempered. I've had guys tell me it's unnerving playing someone who never gets upset. Trust me I get pissed inside, and laugh at myself outwardly after doing stupid things, but no more boofrigginhoo stuff.

Gerry
 
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